Years ago, January 1 was the Feast of the Circumcision. In recent

[hedgehog]

years, it's still been a Holy Day of Obligation, but the hierarchy can't seem to be able to decide whether it should be a day to pray for Peace or a generic Marian feast. Am I the only one who thinks the day's focus was dropped because guys are embarrassed to talk about circumcision?

[tjwmason]

1. I agree.

It seems a little too "icky" I suppose. I'm a very great fan of Our Lady, but if we're commemorating the birth of Christ on 25th December then it follows that he was snipped on 1st January...and as that's when he would have been given his name I certainly think that it deserves a feast in the kalendar.

F.Y.I. The Church of England kept the Circumcision on the Book of Common Prayer (1662), and in the modern books has "The Naming and Circumcision of Jesus" on the 1st which ranks as a "festival" (less than a "principal holy day" but more than "lesser festival").

[shenmue]

2. You might be right

I think that's probably why people don't talk about it.

[travelpet]

3. My brother the ex-altar boy insists that while

January 1 was a Holy Day of Obligation, it was never the feast
of the circumcision. I think it is a mental block for the male
of the species.

[Joe Chi Minh]

5. Is it not now the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God?

[pingzing58]

4. The gospel reading for the day is from Lk 2: 16-21, It's in there.